For me there was much more than gossip in the 1st part: how we see ourselves and others and vice versa, art, friendship, love or what we imagine it to be... And I found it funny too (c.f. my 6th post on my profile), there's a lot of irony.

I've also only read the 1st 3, but this might be my favorite because not only did it inspire me to write, it inspired the content of the writing. I also read it in the original, which may or may not make a difference. .

I know it's not the Minister's fault (at least I hope not 😅), but Brussels is far from being where it should be (I'm thinking The Netherlands and Denmark). It's still way too car-centric

Yes, but they're making it less and less attractive. Suddenly I can't use Poppy anymore with the budget (because cars not electric), but I can get reimbursed for taking a non-electric taxi. Thanks Belgian govt for doing the opposite of discouraging car ownership...

Why would we want to limit the loss of parking spaces? #carsruincities

Good. If a restaurant needs parking spaces it should move to the countryside.

Until their users learn to drive them and park them properly, and the companies start giving a @#$*, they should clearly be banned

"et que ruinée, déconsidérée, dépouillée de tous les privilèges qui me séparaient d'elle, n'ayant plus de maison où habiter ni gens qui consentissent à la saluer, elle vînt me demander asile." (3/3)

"J'aimais vraiment Mme de Guermantes. Le plus grand bonheur que j'eusse pu demander à Dieu eût été de faire fondre sur elle toutes les calamités," (2/3)

1 down 3 to go

I love that last line. "Careful with this one."

That's the first line in one of the most beautiful books ever written: Horcynus Orca, by Stefano D'Arrigo. I add the following, which may or may not have anything to do with it, for your viewing pleasure...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW9m...